Gang-plow



(1") Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. B. s; T. A. VOELKERDING & G. c. SIEM. GANG PLOW.

No. 424,151. Patented Mar. 25,80.

H o b 19mm N: Q7 I aM/v/wbo w Aueusr B. VOELKERDl/Ye,

N. PEYERS. he'c-Lilhographur, Washingwn. ac.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST B. VOELKERDING, THEODOR A. VOELKERDING, AND GUSTAV c. sIEM, OF AUGUSTA, MISSOURI.

PLOW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,151, dated March 25, 1890.

Application filed November 26, 1889. Serial N o. 331,649. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, AUGUST B. VOELKER- DING, THEODOR A. VOELKERDING, and GUS- TAV C. SIEM, all citizens of the United States, residing at Augusta, county of St. Charles, and State of Missouri, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gang-Flows, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention embodies certain improvements on the gang-plow shown in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 410,946, granted September 10, 1889, to A. B. Voelkerding and T. A.Voelkerding. In that patent a gang-plow is shown so constructed and operated that the course or general direction of travel of the plows may be changed relatively to their frame to correspond with. the movement of the engine or draft power. Our improved plow embodies this feature in certain novel organizations of instrumentalities and details of construction hereinafter set forth.

The leading features of our invention are: first, improved draft devices for connecting the plow-frame to the engine or draft power; second, improved devices for connecting the plow-frame to the engine to be used in backing the plow; third, an improved form of plow-connecting frame and a novel way of connecting the plows to the plow-connecting frame; fourth, certain improvements in the general construction of the plow-frame and its supporting-wheels; fifth, an improved way of connecting the plows to the frame at their rear ends, and, sixth, certain other improvements in the general organization and details of construction, which will be hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of our improved. gang-plow; Fig. 2, a side View with some of the plows removed; Fig. 3, a detail view, on an enlarged scale, of the front plow-connecting frame; Fig. 4, a detail view, partly in section, of one of the supporting-Wheels, the section being taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a detail View, on an enlarged scale, of the plow-shifting rod. Fig. 6 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, partly in section, of one of the couplings for connecting the plow beam to the front plowconnecting frame. Fig. 7 is a transverse sec tion of the same 011 the line 7 7 of Fig. 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are views similar to Figs. 6 and 7,-showing a modification. Fig. 10 is a detail view of the plow-clevis used in connection with the coupling shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, of the draft devices for connecting the -plow-frame to the engine. Fig. 12 is a transverse section on the line 12 12 of Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 is a view showing a detail of construction.

The plow-frame consists, mainly, of a front oross-bea1n A, a side beam B, and a diagonal counecting-beam C. These are secured together in any suitable way. The front beam A is shown as formed in two parts arranged one above the other, and the ends of the beams B and O are secured between them.

The rear supporting caster-wheel D is journaled in a brace-piece d, connecting the rear end of the side beam B with the projecting end 0 of the diagonal beam 0. The beam B is connected with the front beam a short distance from one of its ends, and a brace-barb connects the end of the front beam A with the beam B. The front end of the diagonal beam 0 is secured to the opposite end of the front beam, and is also connected thereto by a brace-rod b. A front frame E projects forwardly from the beam A, and to this frame are secured the draft-rods F F. These rods are swiveled to clips at opposite ends of the frame.

In Fig. 1 the rods are shown as formed at theirfront ends with eyes or loops f and f The loop f of the rod F embraces a rod g, secured to the rear of the engine-beam G, one end of this rodis secured to the under side of thebeam,and

. the opposite end is secured to a backwardlyprojecting bracket g. The horizontal portion of this rod extends along the lower part of the beam G. A similar rod g is secured to the upper side of the beam G, and to aforwardly-proj ecting bracket g To this rod the looped end f of the draft-rod F is connected. By this construction the draft-rods are crossed and are free to slide laterally in the manner and for the purpose set forth in the Letters Patent above mentioned.

A modified way of connecting the draft-rods to the engine-beam is shown in Figs. 11 and 12. In this instance a plate H is pivotally connected at the center by a bolt h to the en gine-beam G. This plate has rearwardly-projecting lugs 7t, to which is secured the rod 71. The looped ends of the draft-rods F F are connected to this red on opposite sides of the central lug 71/. The draft-rods are crossed, as shown, the rod F extending through a loop f in the rod F. The rods are free to slide laterally on the rod 7L2, as above explained, and as the plate II, which supports the rod, is pivoted or swiveled should the engine be tilted by reason of any unevenness in the ground the plate will remain in a true horizontal plane, thus avoiding any undue vertical movement or twisting of the draftrods.

At each end of the engine-beam G is a standard G, from which is suspended a link I, which is hinged to a reamvardly-extending link I, swiveled at "1' to the end of the front plow-beam A.

When the engine moves forward the draftrods F F operatively connect the plow-frame with the engine, but in backing, the links I swing forward and the force of the engine is exerted on the rods 1 to back the plows.

In the patent above mentioned,in backing, the engine-beam was arranged to come in contact with bumpers on the front end of the frame, but by ourimproved organization the engine-beam does not come in contact with the plow-frame, and a more reliable connection is secured between the frame and the e11- gine for backing.

Each end of the front beam A is supported by a caster-wheel J. The wheel properj is journaled in hangers j which are secured to opposite sides of a slotted horizontal frame K. The frame K is shown as formed of angle-iron, secured at each end and through the slotted portion of the frame extend the bolts 7;, which secure together the hangers j. Bolts 7t" also extend through the frame K and carry rollers The hangers, with the wheel, are free to move back and forth in the slotted frame. The frame K is connected with the front beam A by means of a bolt K. This bolt is loosely mounted in the end of the frame, so that the frame K and its caster-wheel may turn relatively thereto. 3etween the frame K and the beam A is interposed a washer or spacingblock 1' The caster-wheels at each end of the frame are similarly constructed and eonneeted. The pivotal movement of each caster-wheel is limited by an arm K extending through a slot in a plate K, as shown in Fig. 1. The caster-wheel may be rigidly connected to the frame by means of blocks 00, (shown in Fig. 13,) which may be placed in the slots on each side of the rollers k I have shown in the drawiu a gang of five plows L, which may be of any suitable construction. These plows are connected to the front plow-connecting frame M, (shown in detail in Fig. 3 as consisting of upper and lower rails m m.',) connected at intervals by bolts m and by braces m. The coupling N, for connecting the front end of the plow-beam to the frame M, is shown in Fig. 6. In this instance the front end of the plow-beam Z is round and enters a corresponding socket in the rear easting a of the coupling, to which it is secured by a break-pin n. A metallic pin a, extending through a groove or recess in the rear end of the casting n and through the plow-beam, prevents the beam from turning in the casting; but should the pin or break, the plowbeam may be withdrawn rearwardly and disconnected from the coupling. The casting a is provided with wings n which are secured to the wings a" of the side pieces or", which are braced and held apart by an interposed frame a. To the front ends of the side pieces a is hinged a sleeve M, which fits over one of the bolts m of the frame M. The sleeve a may slide vertically on the bolt m and the side pieces a may turn relatively to the sleeve al on the pivot-bolts n which connect it to the sleeve when the front end of the plow rises or falls. All of the plows are similarly connected to the frame M.

A modified form of coupling is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In this instance the front end of the plow-beam is square or angular and fits in a corresponding socket in the casting a, to which it is secured by a break-pin a. The casting n, which, in this instance, constitutes the plow-clevis, is shown in Fig. 10, and is secured by a bolt a" to rearwardly-projecting lugs 11" on the plate a which is in turn secured to the casting n, to the projecting arms of which the sleeve 72 is hinged. The plate n is slotted at a, as shown in Fig. 9, and through these slots extend the bolts 02?. lly this construction the casting a may be adjusted vertically on the casting a.

The front end of each plowbeam is supported by a caster-wheel O, which is secured thereto by a clip 0, by means of which it may be adjusted vertically on the beam. A red 0 secured at o to the front end of a coupling N, extends rearwardly through a lug 0 on the downwardly-projecting pin 0", secured to the rear plow-connecting beam P. The rod 0 also extends through a clip 0", secured to the rear end of the plow-beam. The rear end of the plow is therefore supported by the rear end of the rod 0, and should the wooden pin in the coupling Nbreak the coupling will be separated and the rod 0 will be with drawn from the clip 0", so that the plow-frame may move forward, leaving behind the plow with the broken pin. The object ofthis construction is that should one or more of the plows meet with an obstruction the pin would break before the plow should have received any injury.

The rear plow-connecting beam P is suspended by chains 17, secured to pulleys P on rearwardly-inclined standards I, connected to the diagonal cross-beam C. The standards I are connected to the cross-beam U by diagonal crossed brace-bars P Brace-rods ICC P connect the upper ends of the standards P with the side beam 13 and with a diagonal beam B, extending from the front beam A to the diagonal cross-beam C.

A top frame-beam Q is mounted on standards Q, secured to the diagonal cross-beam C. A central bolt Q connects the top beam Q to the cross-beam O at the center. Adj usting rods Q are secured to the diagonal beam 0 about midway between its ends, and extend diagonally upward and project through the standards QC. Adjusting-nuts q are secured to the outer projecting ends of the rods Q by means of which the rods may be tightened and the frame made more rigid. The frame may also be made more rigid by braces q and g Undue lateral movement of the gang of plows is prevented by a guide-finger R, secured to the plow-connecting beam P and provided with an eye 7', through which extends a horizontal guide-rod r, secured to a beam R, pivoted to the side beam at T and having'a diagonal extension R hinged to the beam 0.

A chain S, connected with the pulleys, passes over a sheave s on the plow-frame and connects with the piston-rod s of the cylinder S, which is operated to raise and lower .the plows in a well-known way.

The front plow-connecting frame M is arranged diagonally across the main plowframe, and is suspended at its rear end from the frame by a link M, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. At the opposite or front end the frame M is suspended by means of the devices shown particularly in Fig. 3. As there shown, a rod M secured to the front plowconnecting beam, as shown in Fig. 1, extends rearwardly through an eye M secured to the frame, and through a U-shaped rod M secured to the diagonal beam 0 and the bracerod (1 This kind of connection holds the frame M in a proper vertical plane, but permits of its being shifted the proper distance each way horizontally.

' The frame M is connected with the front frame E by means of draft-rods T. The rear ends of one of the draft-rods are shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 3. As there shown, they are bifurcated and pivoted by means of vertical bolts. At the front ends, the draftrods are swiveled to staples t, which permit them to have both a vertical and horizontal movement.

The devices for shifting the plows are similar in organization to those shown in the patent above mentioned, but, briefly stated, consist of a shifting-bar U, pivotally secured to an arm U which is connected with an os= cillating cross-head U by links a. The crosshead is connected to chains V V, which extend over pulleys '0 0 0 on the plow-frame and on the engine-beam. The opposite ends of the chains are secured at W to the front frame E of the plow. v The construction and operation of these degine turns in one direction or the other the oscillating cross-head is correspondingly .moved, which in turn shifts the bar U, moves the front plow-connecting beam M, and shifts the plows horizontally to change their course or general direction.

Our present improvements relate more particularly to improvements in the details of construction of a plow organized to operate as above set forth.

We claim as our invent-ion 1. The combination, substantially as here inbefore set forth, in a plow-frame, of the side beam, the diagonal cross-beam, the front beam connected to the side beam and the cross-beam, and extending at each end beyond them, and the wheels for supportingthe frame, mounted in the laterally-extending ends of the front beam.

2.- The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the front, side, and diagonal cross-beams, the top frame-beam Q, mounted on the diagonal beam, and the rods Q arranged as described, for strengthening the frame.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the plow frame, the engine-beam, the draft-rods, and the pivoted bar to which the ends of the draft-rods are connected and on which they are free to slide.

4:. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the plow-frame, the draft-rods secured thereto, a loop on the front end of one of the draft-rods through which the other draft-rod extends, and loops or eyes on the front ends of both draft-rods, through which extends a rod on the engine or draftpower.

5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the plow-frame, the beam G, and jointed connections between the beam G and the plow-frame for backing the plows in the manner specified.

6. The combination, substantially he1'e-' inbefore set forth, of the beam G, the plowframe, the jointed rods connecting the beam G and the plow-frame so arranged as to take the back-thrust in backing and hold the beam G away from the plow frame.

7. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the plow-frame, the cast- .er-wheels, the hangers in which they are mounted, and connections between the hangers and the frame which permit of the hangers moving backwardly and forwardly relatively to the frame.

" 8. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the front beam of the frame, the casterwheels at each end thereof, the hangers in which they are mounted, the slotted frames to which the hangers are connected and in which they are free to move horizontally, and connections between the slotted frames and the front beam.

9. The combination, substantially as here inbeforc set forth, of the plows, the front plow-connecting beam to which they are socured, the plow-frame, the front frame E, and the hinged draft-rods connecting the plowconnecting frame with the front frame.

10. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the plowframe, the plows, the front plow-connecting beam, the jointed suspending devices for the plow-connecting frame, the shifting-rod U, and means for shifting the rod, for the purpose specified.

11. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the main frame M, the plows, the front plow-connecting frame, and the draft-rods T, hinged to the main frame, bifurcated at their rear ends and pivoted to the front plow-connecting frame M.

12. The combination, substantially as here inbefore set forth, of the plows, the plow-connecting frame M, the couplings LT, hinged to the plow-beams and pivoted and free to move vertically on the plo\ -connecting frame, and

the supporting-wheels 0, connected to the front ends of the plow-beams.

13. The eon'ibination, substantially as hereinbel'ore set forth, of the plow-connecting frame, the plows, the couplings at the front ends of the plow-beams, the sleeves connected with bolts on the plow-connecting frame and adapted to slide vertically thereon, and a hinged connection between the sleeves and couplings.

14. The combination,substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the plows, the rear plowconnecting beam, the frontplow-connecting beam, couplings between the front plow-connecting beam and the plows, the rods 0, secured at their front ends to the couplings and at their rear ends extending through down wardlyprojecting bars on the rear plow-connecting beam and through plates or brackets on the rear ends of the plow-beams.

15. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the plow-frame, the rear plow-connecting beam, the guide-bar B, socured thereto and secured to the side of the frame, in the manner specified.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto suhscribed our names.

AUGUST B. VOELKERDING. THEODOR A. VOELKTJRDING. GUSTAV C. SIEM.

Witnesses:

LoUIs GREY, LOUIS R. DAMMANN. 

